Controller projects Genesee County spending $1.9 million less than budget

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The county is on pace to spend less than budgeted in the current fiscal year, good news for the Board of Commissioners, which might not need to cut spending as deeply as expected.

Interim Controller Keith Francis gave his assessment to the Board of Commissioners today, April 9, as part of a financial update.

The county is halfway through its current fiscal year, and Francis said spending is on a pace to end the year at $1.9 million less than the county's amended budget.

Francis said revenues are projected to lag about $200,000 less than budgeted and not all cuts built into the spending plan for the current year have been made.

Without making changes, the budget is forecast to end the year in the black by more than $308,000.

"I'm cautious because the numbers are changing," the interim controller said.

Commissioners will have to keep spending reined in, partly because property values countywide show signs of improving but have yet to end the overall slide that has gone on for several years.

Property taxes are the single largest revenue source for the county and revenue has dropped from $104 million in 2008 to a forecast $79.6 million in the current fiscal year.

Commissioner Mark Young, D-Grand Blanc Twp., said board members have cautious with every expenditure that's been proposed this year.

"Its been part of our ongoing meetings ... to keep the numbers in line," said Young, chairman of the commissioners finance committee.